Free Never Cry Mercy by L. T. Ryan Page B
Authors: L. T. Ryan
drive.
It didn't matter, though. The plain clothes was already parked out front.
Chapter 18
Crystal River, Florida, 1988
Jack crawled toward the opening. The light had faded, but through the hole he could see the final speck of sunlight. He paused a few feet away, closed his eyes and listened. He realized during the first few silent seconds that his anxiety and panic were gone. No matter how hard he thought about it, they didn't return. It was a welcome development for the young man.
Over the years, his father had taught him to think tactically. Whether during chess matches, or their self-defense lessons, Jack had learned to plan several steps ahead, and anticipate the movements of others.
Outside, the strangers called to one another. A series of code words were used to check in. Jack picked out the distinct voices and tallied it up to at least five men. He'd counted three coming across the porch. So that left two. They had probably come around the side of the house, clearing the area. They'd leave at least a man or two out front.
Seven total. Maybe more.
That was a lot for him and his brother to take on. But they didn't have to face them all at once. The guys may have size and training on their side, but they didn't know the land like Sean and Jack. The woods were their territory. Even in the dark they could maneuver without thought. And night fell fast.
"All right, sweet cakes," a man said. "We know you're in there. Just come out and nothing will happen to you or your brothers."
How did he know she had brothers? She'd yelled out boys, run , but that didn't necessarily mean brothers . Had they been scoping out the house for some time? After all, the men showed up the night that Jack's parents were away. Why? To rob them? That would make sense, except for the fact that several of the men were outside now, where Sean, Jack and Molly were. If they wanted to rob the place, it would've made sense to let the kids run and then ransack the house. They weren't there to steal. They were hunting.
"There you are," another man said. "Just settle in right there."
Jack crossed the final few feet to the opening, remaining just inside. He scanned the yard. The sky hidden behind the foliage was a deep red, almost purple in some spots. The trees looked like black statues, the tops swaying in the breeze. Fireflies danced among the leaves. He saw outlines along the edge of the woods. Men, he presumed. But where was Molly?
"Just do as I say and nothing's gonna happen," the guy said.
Jack couldn't figure out where the man was. None were gesturing. They all appeared to be standing ready to attack.
"God damn bitch!" the guy yelled.
Molly screamed. It wasn't pain or fear. It was something primal. She had attacked in an attempt to protect her life. Gunshots followed. Jack felt his heart in his throat. His stomach wasn't far behind. Panic filled him as he feared the worst for his sister. But this was different than anything he'd ever experienced. The feeling drove him to action.
"Dammit," the guy said. "She made it deeper in the woods."
Flashlight beams cut into the trees, but didn't make it far into the tangled weave of branches and leaves. Molly knew the woods as well as Jack and Sean. Hell, she'd shown them secret spots they never managed to find on their own.
"All right," the guy said. "You two stay here. The rest, come with me. Let's find this bitch."
With the men's attention focused on Molly and the woods, Jack knew it was time to make his escape from under the porch. He turned over, reached up and grabbed a beam, then pulled himself out from underneath. As he sat up, he heard a creaking sound. The guy stood five feet away, glancing over his shoulder into the house.
Chapter 19
Reality set in when we were alone. The detective in Reese took a back seat, and she broke down. My shirt grew damp with her tears as I held her tight. After the initial wave, she told me she needed a little time alone. She went to her bedroom and locked
It didn't matter, though. The plain clothes was already parked out front.
Chapter 18
Crystal River, Florida, 1988
Jack crawled toward the opening. The light had faded, but through the hole he could see the final speck of sunlight. He paused a few feet away, closed his eyes and listened. He realized during the first few silent seconds that his anxiety and panic were gone. No matter how hard he thought about it, they didn't return. It was a welcome development for the young man.
Over the years, his father had taught him to think tactically. Whether during chess matches, or their self-defense lessons, Jack had learned to plan several steps ahead, and anticipate the movements of others.
Outside, the strangers called to one another. A series of code words were used to check in. Jack picked out the distinct voices and tallied it up to at least five men. He'd counted three coming across the porch. So that left two. They had probably come around the side of the house, clearing the area. They'd leave at least a man or two out front.
Seven total. Maybe more.
That was a lot for him and his brother to take on. But they didn't have to face them all at once. The guys may have size and training on their side, but they didn't know the land like Sean and Jack. The woods were their territory. Even in the dark they could maneuver without thought. And night fell fast.
"All right, sweet cakes," a man said. "We know you're in there. Just come out and nothing will happen to you or your brothers."
How did he know she had brothers? She'd yelled out boys, run , but that didn't necessarily mean brothers . Had they been scoping out the house for some time? After all, the men showed up the night that Jack's parents were away. Why? To rob them? That would make sense, except for the fact that several of the men were outside now, where Sean, Jack and Molly were. If they wanted to rob the place, it would've made sense to let the kids run and then ransack the house. They weren't there to steal. They were hunting.
"There you are," another man said. "Just settle in right there."
Jack crossed the final few feet to the opening, remaining just inside. He scanned the yard. The sky hidden behind the foliage was a deep red, almost purple in some spots. The trees looked like black statues, the tops swaying in the breeze. Fireflies danced among the leaves. He saw outlines along the edge of the woods. Men, he presumed. But where was Molly?
"Just do as I say and nothing's gonna happen," the guy said.
Jack couldn't figure out where the man was. None were gesturing. They all appeared to be standing ready to attack.
"God damn bitch!" the guy yelled.
Molly screamed. It wasn't pain or fear. It was something primal. She had attacked in an attempt to protect her life. Gunshots followed. Jack felt his heart in his throat. His stomach wasn't far behind. Panic filled him as he feared the worst for his sister. But this was different than anything he'd ever experienced. The feeling drove him to action.
"Dammit," the guy said. "She made it deeper in the woods."
Flashlight beams cut into the trees, but didn't make it far into the tangled weave of branches and leaves. Molly knew the woods as well as Jack and Sean. Hell, she'd shown them secret spots they never managed to find on their own.
"All right," the guy said. "You two stay here. The rest, come with me. Let's find this bitch."
With the men's attention focused on Molly and the woods, Jack knew it was time to make his escape from under the porch. He turned over, reached up and grabbed a beam, then pulled himself out from underneath. As he sat up, he heard a creaking sound. The guy stood five feet away, glancing over his shoulder into the house.
Chapter 19
Reality set in when we were alone. The detective in Reese took a back seat, and she broke down. My shirt grew damp with her tears as I held her tight. After the initial wave, she told me she needed a little time alone. She went to her bedroom and locked
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